Felons arrested on robbery, drug charges

BARBOURSVILLE — The Western Regional Jail was busy early Sunday morning, with several people arrested on felony charges, including a trio of men facing armed robbery charges and a group arrested in a Lincoln County meth bust.

The three men booked at 5 a.m. on first degree robbery charges are all originally from Michigan, though two live in Huntington now, according to the booking department at the jail.

Arrested were Antonio Larentas Lockhart, 22, of Inkster, Mich., and Julian Juan Johnson, 25, as well as Monroe Avant, 22, who both live in Huntington and reported Michigan as their birthplace. Avant also has a capias charge, according to the booking department.

They were booked about 5 a.m. by the Huntington Police Department and were awaiting arraignment in Cabell County Magistrate Court Sunday morning.

Jennifer Lee Porter, 36, along with Daniel Joseph Geiger, 33, and Demeda Jo Beckett, 36, all from Branchland, and Martin Woodrow Williamson, 49 and from Midkiff, were arrested on charges of operating or attempting to operate a drug lab. They were were brought in shortly before 4 a.m. by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, along with William Brent Salmons, 43, from West Hamlin. According to the jail, he violated parole and also was charged with operating or attempting to operate a drug lab. All were waiting to see the Lincoln County Magistrate Sunday morning.

Also arrested Sunday was Eric Edward Mount, 41, of Huntington, on charges of possession of controlled substance, conspiracy and counterfeiting. He was brought in by the West Virginia State Police out of Cabell County and was awaiting arraignment Sunday.

Steven Phillip Carter, 30 and of Huntington, was charged with operating drug lab, conspiracy and counterfeiting. He too was brought in by the State Police of Cabell County and awaited arraignment Sunday.

Charles Lamont Shelby, 25 and from Detroit, was charged with driving under the influence and has a warrant for possession with intent, according to the jail’s booking department. He too was arrested by HPD.